White Sox: 5 under-the-radar players to watch this spring

Dan Black (1B)

Dan Black

(Photo credit: MiLB.com)

First-baseman Dan Black is my dark horse for 2015. He’s 27-years old and will be in camp as a non-roster invitee.

Black doesn’t register a blip on any casual scans of Chicago’s system, but he’s quietly put together some solid numbers throughout his minor league career.

Black had a .768 OPS in 48 games as a member of Triple-A Charlotte in ’14.

Last fall, 1B prospect Andy Wilkins looked undeniably overmatched against major league pitching and with Dayan Viciedo now out of the organization, Black is in a position to potentially see a look at first base or designated hitter in the event of an injury to Adam LaRoche or Jose Abreu.

First-baseman Dan Black is my dark horse for 2015

I’m not saying Dan Black is going to become a household name, but the switch-hitter is very much under the radar and doesn’t have much ahead of him on the depth chart.

With an exceptionally strong spring, Black could put himself into the ’15 conversation as a trade piece, injury depth, or even as a September call up.